UK Statutory Definition of Copyright

The UK statutory definition of copyright can be found in the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. According to Section 1 of the Act, copyright is defined as the exclusive right to do certain acts in relation to a work or to authorise others to do so. The Act states that a work is eligible for copyright protection if it falls into one of the following categories:

Literary works: This includes books, articles, poems, computer programs, databases, and other written or typed works.

Artistic works: This includes paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, architecture, and works of artistic craftsmanship.

Musical works: This includes musical compositions, songs, and any accompanying words.

Dramatic works: This includes plays, dance, and mime performances.

Sound recordings: This refers to the recording of sounds, including music, spoken words, and other sounds.

Films: This includes motion pictures, videos, and any recordings that have a sequence of images.

Broadcasts: This covers the transmission of sounds or images, including television and radio broadcasts.

Typographical arrangements: This includes the layout and presentation of published editions of literary, dramatic, or musical works.

The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 outlines the scope of copyright protection, the duration of rights, exceptions and limitations, and the remedies available for copyright infringement in the UK.